The life of Carol Ann Holsey, 66, Lawton will be remembered and celebrated at a graveside service at 10:00 am Monday, July 25, 2011 in the Sunset Memorial Gardens, Lawton with her brother, Dr. John Paul Holsey officiating. Ms. Holsey died peacefully on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at her home in Lawton. Arrangements are under the direction of the Becker Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Carol was born in Oklahoma City on March 15, 1945 to Elmer Clifford and Armilda Esther (Johns) Holsey who preceded her in death. The family moved back to Lawton after World War II ended, and she was raised in Lawton. She graduated from Lawton High School and later obtained her bachelor's degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She taught English at Cache Junior High School and Central Junior High School prior to becoming an officer's wife and living in Heidelberg, Germany and Vicenza, Italy during the Vietnam War period. While living in Europe, Carol made and kept many friends and became fluent in German. After the War, Carol returned to Lawton where she taught English at Eisenhower Junior High School. She returned to teaching with a new and heightened level of knowledge about European literature and, specifically, the Diary of Anne Frank. She instrumentally inspired the hope and spirit of this book to hundreds of students who graduated through her classes. Carol was a poet, musician and artist who enjoyed the lost art of composing letters to those she loved. After retirement, Carol remained interested in military history and literature. She is survived by a sister and brother in law, Kay and Jerry Strickland, Indiahoma; a brother and sister in law, Dr. John Paul Holsey and his wife Donna of Philadelphia, PA, nephew David Scott Pittman and his wife Lisa of Norman, OK, nieces Lisa Ann McClung of Indiahoma, OK, Lori Kay Treisa, of Norman, OK, Virginia Ruth Kingcaid and her husband Mike of Bethlehem, PA, Jaclyn Carol Goudie and her husband Shawn of Chicago, IL, Jackie Herring of Frederick, OK, Tara Harris of Boyertown, PA, and Christy Lewis and nephew Greg Lewis of Limerick, PA. Carol also enjoyed twelve great nieces and nephews, Amanda, Jamie, Ashley and Sunnie McClung, Ethan and Ellie Treisa, Tyler and Micah McCoy, Jeremy Herring, Michael, Dean and Emily Lewis. She had two recent arrivals with great-great niece Paisley Kay Morris and one great-great nephew, Wiles Jamison Goudie. Carol is also survived by her long-time and faithful companion at home, Cocoa. Her parents and a great nephew, Matthew, preceded her in death. She financially supported many non-profit organizations, and memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Lawton-Comanche County, PO Box 3143, Lawton, OK 73502-3143 or to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, or the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.